Variable Structural Rack Members

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of variable structural members for a telecommunications equipment cabinet are presented herein. The variable structural members include an embedding surface configured to removably receive a structural insert to modify the characteristics of the equipment cabinet. A variety of removable structural inserts may be embedded in the embedding surface. The structural inserts may be arranged and rearranged to modify the structural characteristics of a cabinet such as at the time of manufacture and/or by a technician or user “in the field”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to equipment housings for mountingtelecommunications equipment. More specifically, the disclosure relatesto telecommunications equipment housings having adjustable dimensioninterlocking upright members and variable components.

BACKGROUND

Equipment within a telecommunications infrastructure may be maintainedin variety of equipment housings. Traditionally, equipment housings havebeen designed with fixed dimensions for particular equipment, e.g.,equipment of a particular type and/or having specific width and depth.Further mountings for equipment traditionally are incorporated into thestructure of the equipment housings, e.g., mounting holes drilled intothe supporting structure for equipment housing. In other words,equipment housings traditionally are designed to be static and are notintended to be modified after manufacture. However, new and differentarrangements of telecommunications equipment are often required for avariety of reasons such as to handle increased demands for service, dueto technology changes, to accommodate new or different equipment, and soforth. Updating static equipment housings to accommodate new equipmentand/or equipment arrangements may be time consuming, costly, frustratingand even impossible.

Accordingly traditional techniques produce telecommunication housingswhich are inflexible, may be difficult or impossible to modify toaccommodate new equipment and/or new equipment configurations, and maybe more costly to manufacture or update.

SUMMARY

Improved telecommunications equipment housings are described. In anupright members for a telecommunications cabinet are described which maybe joined in pairs to form an adjustable portion of thetelecommunication housing. For example, a first upright member may bejoined in one of a plurality of positions to form the side wall of anequipment rack. The depth of the rack may be varied by joining theupright members in different positions. In one instance, an equipmentrack is formed from a plurality of identical upright members joinedtogether. Further, the upright members may be configured to interlock,one to another.

In an implementation, variable structural members may be included topermit configuration and reconfiguration of the structuralcharacteristics of a telecommunications equipment housing. For instance,a variety of different structural inserts may be removably embedded in acorresponding groove provided with a structural member for thetelecommunication equipment housing. The shape, dimension, material andso forth of a structural insert and corresponding groove may be selectedto correspond to desired structural characteristics. Thus, differentinserts may be selected and embedded at different times to modify thestructural characteristics of the telecommunication equipment housing.

In an implementation, atelecommunications equipment housing hasremovable mounting members fastened to a support structure of theequipment housing. The removable mounting members may have a variety ofdifferent mountings (e.g., different hole patterns, different fasteners,brackets and so on) to mount different types, sizes and so forth oftelecommunications equipment within the housing. Various differentlyconfigured mounting members may be used in combination to permit manydifferent mounting configurations in a telecommunications equipmenthousing using the same support structure. Thus, the sametelecommunications equipment housing may be configured and reconfiguredfor a wide selection of equipment and/or arrangements of equipment.

In an implementation, a pair of identical sub-assemblies are joined toproduce a variable dimensioned equipment housing. The sub-assemblies maybe removably joined in a plurality of positions producing differentdimensions for the corresponding equipment housing.

In an implementation, a single adjustable depth housing is configured tomeet industry standard specifications designated for a plurality ofseparate racks having different depths. In other words, the singlehousing meets the specifications intended for at least two differenthousings having different respective depths.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an environment having a portion of atelecommunications infrastructure in which telecommunications equipmenthousings may be employed.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary implementation of an equipment cabinetof FIG. 1 having joined upright members

FIGS. 3A to 3C illustrate an exemplary implementation of interlockingupright rack members which may be utilized with one or more of theequipment cabinets of FIG. 1

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a variable structuralmember which may be utilized with one or more of the equipment cabinetsof FIG. 1

FIGS. 5A-5C depict a variety of exemplary implementations for thevariable structural member of FIG. 4 along with exemplary depiction ofcorresponding structural inserts.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a support structurewith variable mounting members which may be utilized with one or more ofthe equipment cabinets of FIG. 1

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate an exemplary adjustable dimensioned equipmentcabinet which may incorporate one or more of the features depicted inFIGS. 2-6.

FIG. 8 depicts joining a pair of identical sub-assemblies to form thevariable dimension equipment cabinet of FIGS. 7A-7B.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram depicting a procedure in an exemplaryimplementation in which a variable width side wall of atelecommunications equipment cabinet is formed.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram depicting a procedure in an exemplaryimplementation in which a structural insert is embedded in a structuralmember to vary characteristics of a corresponding cabinet.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram depicting a procedure in an exemplaryimplementation in which removable mounting members are utilized tosecure a plurality of telecommunications equipment within a cabinet.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram depicting a procedure in an exemplaryimplementation in which a adjustable dimensioned equipment cabinet isformed by joining identical sub-assemblies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be noted that the following devices are examples and may befurther modified, combined and separated without departing from thespirit and scope thereof.

Exemplary Environment

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary implementation of an environment 100operable to provide a telecommunications network in which theapparatuses and procedures of the present disclosure may be employed.The environment 100 includes at least a portion of a telecommunicationnetwork infrastructure 102 (hereinafter “infrastructure”).Infrastructure 102 provides telecommunications processes, structures,equipment and devices between end-user devices such as modems, phones,and so on used by end-users outside of the infrastructure 102 tocommunicate via a telecommunications network. Within infrastructure 102a variety of equipment, apparatus and devices are utilized in routing,processing, and distributing signals. Telecommunications signals anddata may among other actions be processed, switched, routed, tested,patched, managed, or distributed by various equipment in theinfrastructure 102.

A variety of sites 104(1)-104(j) within infrastructure 102 may maintainvarious equipment used in the infrastructure 102, where “j” may be anyinteger from one to “J”. As depicted in FIG. 1, infrastructure 102 mayhave numerous sites 104 which may be different physical locations withininfrastructure 102 such as a central office, an outside plant site, aco-locate site, a remote site, or customer premises. Sites 104 may belocations within infrastructure 100 which hold a variety of structuresand equipment to facilitate processing and distributing oftelecommunications signals. The equipment may be centralized in one site(e.g., site 104(1)) or dispersed throughout different sites 104 ininfrastructure 102. In other words, interconnections may be made betweenvarious sites 104 in infrastructure 102, for example the connectiondenoted in FIG. 1 by a dashed line between site 104(1) and 104(2).Naturally, numerous interconnections between a plurality of sites 104typically may be made.

Each site 104 may have one or more housings 106 having a plurality ofcomponents 108. A plurality of housings 106(1)-106(m) are depicted inFIG. 1, where “m” may be any integer from two to “M”. A housing refersto a structure to maintain or hold a plurality of components 108 ininfrastructure 102 and may be configured in a variety of ways. Forexample, the housing 106 may be configured as a housing for a cabinet, aterminal block, a panel, a protector block, a chassis, a digitalcross-connect, a switch, a hub, a rack, a frame, a bay, a module, anenclosure, an aisle, or other structure for receiving and holding aplurality of components 108. Hereinafter, the terms housing and cabinetwill be used for convenience to refer to the variety of structures ininfrastructure 102 that may hold components 108. Housings 106 may beinside a building or housings may themselves be configured to be placedoutside, e.g. an outside plant cabinet. Housings 106 may typically beconfigured to protect components 108 from environmental influences. Theenvironment 100 of FIG. 1, for instance, depicts site 104(1) as havingtwo housings (e.g., cabinets) 106, each having a plurality of components108. Other housings 106 may be included throughout infrastructure 102 atsites 104, for example housings 106 depicted within site 104(2).

Components 108 are pieces of telecommunications equipment ininfrastructure 102 that may be kept or maintained in a housing 106(e.g., a cabinet) within the infrastructure 102. Components for examplemay be cross-connect panels, modules, terminal blocks, protector blocks,chassis, backplanes, switches, digital radios, repeaters and so forth.Generally, components 108 may be those devices utilized for processingand distributing signals in infrastructure 102 and which may bemaintained in a housing 104. Components 108 may also be used to managecabling in infrastructure 102. Components 108 may terminate,interconnect or cross-connect a plurality of network elements 110 withininfrastructure 102. Components 108 may be utilized to distributetelecommunications signals sent to and from infrastructure 102 by one ormore end-users 112 using an end-user device 114. The interconnectionsbetween telecommunications equipment (e.g., cabinets 106, components 108and network elements 110) provide signal pathways for telecommunicationssignals. Interconnection may be via one or more components 108 such asby connectors disposed on a component, such as a protector block, or maybe internal to the components 108 such as via cabling within a component108. Representative interconnections are shown by dashed lines in FIG. 1and numerous interconnections within and between telecommunicationequipment are typical.

Network elements 110 may be implemented in a variety of ways. Forexample, network elements 110 may be configured as switches, digitalcross connect system (DCS), telecommunication panels, terminal blocks,protector blocks, digital radios, fiber optic equipment, network officeterminating equipment, and any other telecommunication equipment ordevices employed in a telecommunications infrastructure 102. It is notedthat one or more of the components 108 within a cabinet 106 may also bea network element 110. In other words, network elements 110 may be foundwithin a cabinet 106 as component 108 of the cabinet. Thus, in aparticular cabinet 106 interconnections may be between network elements110 externally (e.g., not in the same cabinet) or internally (e.g.,within the same cabinet). Naturally, internal and externalinterconnections may be mixed such that a single cabinet 106 will haveboth internal and external interconnections. Further, such connectionsfor a particular cabinet 106 might be made wholly within a particularsite 104. Interconnections may also be made between a plurality of sites104(1)-104(j).

In an implementation, a cabinet 106 has a plurality of components 108 toconnect numerous lines. A cabinet 106 may have a plurality of components108 as depicted in FIG. 1 by 108(1), 108(2), . . . , 108(n), where “n”may be any integer from one to “N”. Components 108(1)-108(n) generallyprovide modular connection points within a cabinet 106 between variousnetwork elements 110 such as switches, cross-connects, terminal blocks,protector blocks and so forth. End-users 112 may be connected viatwisted pair cabling to protector blocks 108(1)-108(n) in a cabinet 106located within infrastructure 102. Further, end-users 112 may beconnected via a plurality of network elements 110 which are connectedvia the various equipment in infrastructure 102, including theinterconnections of a plurality of protector blocks such as protectorblocks 108(1)-108(n). For example, an end-user telephone call madebetween end user 112(1) and end user 112(2) may be routed using one ormore protector blocks 108(1)-108(n) and/or various network elements 110within infrastructure 102.

The environment 100 depicts a plurality of end users 112(1)-112(k),where “k” may be any integer from one to “K”. End users 112(1)-112(k)may be communicatively coupled, one to another, via a telecommunicationnetwork including infrastructure 102. End users 112 may be implementedin a wide variety of ways, such as consumers, business users, internalusers in a private network, and other types of users that usetelecommunications signals or transmit and receive telecommunicationssignals. Additionally, for purposes of the following discussion clients112(1)-112(k) may also refer to client devices and software which areoperable to transmit and receive telecommunications signals. Thus,clients 112(1)-112(k) maybe implemented as users, software and devices.

The interconnection of pieces of equipment (e.g. cabinets 106,components 108 and network elements 110, and so forth) provides signalpathways between equipment for signals input to and output frominfrastructure 102. For example, end-users 112(1)-112(k) may sendsignals into the infrastructure 102 and receive signals output from theinfrastructure using a variety of end user devices 114. For example, enduser 112(2) may communicate with end user 112(k) via end-user device 114(e.g., a telephone). Thus, signals sent to and from infrastructure byend-users 112 via an end user device 114, may be routed directed,processed, and distributed in a variety of ways via the equipment andinterconnections within infrastructure 102.

In an implementation, one or more cabinets 106(1)-106(m) may beconfigured as equipment racks. An equipment rack provides mountings fora plurality of components 108(1)-108(n). Generally, a rack refers tocabinet 106 configured with an open frame housing as opposed to anenclosure with doors and so forth. As will become apparent in thefollowing discussion a cabinet 106 configured as a rack may be providedwith one or more variable features including, interlocking uprightmembers, variable dimensions, removable mounting members, and/orinsertable structural members. In this manner, a cabinet 106 may beconfigured and reconfigured for a variety of applications within atelecommunications infrastructure. Thus, reconfiguration oftelecommunication infrastructure may be accomplished without requiring anew rack, without redesigning existing housing structures and so forth.

In the following discussion features which may be incorporated into atelecommunications equipment cabinet design will be described followedby an exemplary description of a cabinet. While cabinets 106 configuredas racks have been described, it should be appreciated that the devicesand techniques may also be applied in cabinets 106 configured for avariety of applications, such as in an enclosed cabinet 106, at outdoorsite 104 and so forth. For instance, a cabinet 106 may be configured forapplication at an outside plant site such as site 104(5) depicted inFIG. 1. In other words, the cabinet 106 may be an outside plant cabinet.An outside plant cabinet, as the name suggests, is located outside andis configured to protect a plurality of components 108, fromenvironmental influences (e.g., heat, cold, wind, rain and so forth).Thus, it is contemplated that the devices and techniques describedherein may be employed with various cabinets 106(1)-106(n) configuredfor indoor and outdoor applications alike.

Interlocking Uprights Members

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary implementation 200 of one or more of thecabinets 106(1)-106(n) of FIG. 1. An exemplary cabinet 106(1) configuredto hold a plurality of telecommunications components 108 is depicted inFIG. 1. Generally, a cabinet 106(1) has a rectangular solid shape suchas a block or cube, as in FIG. 2. The cabinet 106(1) as previouslydescribed may be an open rack, an enclosure and so forth. It should beappreciated that a cabinet 106(1) may be formed utilizing a plurality ofstructural members that are joined in a variety of ways. For instance,the structure of a cabinet 106 may include a plurality of uprightmembers 202 which are joined together to form the open structure of therack.

Cabinet 106(1), for example, is depicted as formed via upright members202(1)-202(4). Upright members 202 may be configured in a variety ofways such as corner posts, metal tubes, sheet metal panels, angled railsand so forth. Upright members 202 are generally structural supportingmembers for a cabinet 106 and equipment maintained within the cabinet,e.g., components 108, network elements and so forth. Optionally, panels,doors and so forth may be added to the rack structure to form anenclosed cabinet 106(1). Further discussion of a cabinet 106 formed viaa plurality of upright members may be found in relation to FIGS. 7-8

In this instance, a portion of a cabinet 106(1), such as a side wall, isformed utilizing at least two joined upright members 202. As will bedescribed in greater detail below, the upright members 202 may be joinedin a variety of positions to form a variable-dimensioned cabinet 106configured to mount a variety of telecommunications equipment. A pair ofupright members 202 may be joined to form a side wall of cabinet 106(1),such as by joining exemplary upright members 202(1), 202(2) depicted inFIG. 2. Upright members 202(2) and 202(2) are each depicted with arespective side surface 204(1) and 204(2). The side surfaces 204(1),204(2) thus form the side wall of cabinet 106(1) when the uprightmembers 202(1) and 202(2) are joined, one to another.

In an implementation, upright members 202 may each have an adjoiningmounting surface 206. Mounting surface 206 is formed at a substantiallyright angle to the respective side surface 204. Thus, the four uprightmembers 202 of FIG. 2 form a cabinet 106(1) with a generally rectangularcross section. In other words, the interior area of cabinet 106(1),bounded by the upright members 202, has a rectangular shape. Themounting surface 206 may be a separate piece joined to the uprightmembers 202 through welds, glues, rivets, screws or other fasteningmechanisms. Alternatively, a one piece angled upright member 202 may beformed, such as by stamping out a single piece flat panel and bendingthe panel to form an upright member 202, with side surfaces 204 andmounting surfaces 206 at right angles to one another. In animplementation, the side surfaces 204 and corresponding mountingsurfaces 206 joined to the side surfaces form the corners of a cabinetsuch as cabinet 106(1).

As previously described a cabinet 106 may maintain or hold a pluralityof components 108 in infrastructure 102. For instance, the plurality ofmounting surfaces 206 of cabinet 106(1) may be configured to provide aplurality of mountings for a variety of components 108. The plurality ofmountings may configured in a variety of ways, including a variety offasteners, mounting holes arranged in various patterns, different sizedmounting holes, brackets and so forth. A plurality of telecommunicationscomponents 108 are depicted in phantom in FIG. 2 as mountable withincabinet 106(1) via the respective mounting surfaces 206 of uprightmembers 204(2) and 204(3). In an implementation, variable mountingmembers may be provided on the mounting surfaces 206 to permitconfiguring and reconfiguring of a cabinet 106(1) to mount a variety ofdifferent equipment. Further discussion of cabinet mountings andvariable mounting members may be found in relation to FIG. 6.

In an implementation, the upright members 202 of cabinet 106(1) arefurther configured to be joined such that at least one dimension of thecabinet 106(1) is variable, e.g. one or more of the depth, width, orheight of the cabinet may be variable. For example, FIG. 2 depicts acabinet having a variable depth 208. A pair of upright members 202, forinstance, are joinable in a variety of ways to provide the variabledepth 208. For instance, securing mechanisms 210 are depicted in FIG. 2as disposed on upright members 202(1) and 202(2). A plurality ofpositions 212 are associable with securing mechanisms 210. Thus, uprightmembers 202(1) and 202(2) may be joined in different arrangementscorresponding to different respective positions 212, thereby forming acabinet 106(1) of variable depth. Securing mechanisms 210 on respectiveupright members 202 may be utilized to join the upright members 202 in avariety of ways, such as through the use of various fasteners,extensions, or interlocking designs.

In an implementation, securing mechanisms 210 on respective uprightmembers 202 are configured to mate directly, thereby joining the uprightmembers 202 in a “closed position”, e.g., such that the side surfaces204 of the respective upright members 202 overlap. Generally anyremovable securing mechanisms 210 may be employed in the previouslydescribed techniques. For instance, a pair of upright members 202 may bejoined by ordinary fasteners such as screws, pins, clips, latches, andso forth.

As an example, securing mechanisms 210 on each of the upright members202(1) and 202(2) may include positions 212 configured as a plurality ofapertures for a pin. The upright members 202(1), 202(2) may be alignedsuch that respective side surfaces 204(1), 204(2) overlap and respectivepin apertures are lined up. Then, one or more pins may be used to securethe upright members 202(1), 202(2) at the corresponding position 212,such as by passing a pin through the aligned pin apertures. It should beappreciated that the upright members 202(1), 202(2) may be joined innumerous positions 212 resulting in a variety of depths 208 for thecorresponding cabinet 106(1).

In an implementation two upright members 202 are fastened in an “openposition”, e.g., with a gap between the side surfaces 204. In thisimplementation, an extension 214 may be used to join the respectiveuprights. The extension 214 is configurable in a variety of ways (e.g.,a bar, a rod, a plate, and so forth) which bridges the gap betweenrespective upright members 202(1), 202(2) and connects on either side torespective securing mechanisms 210. An extension 214 may be configuredto connect to one or more securing mechanism 210 on each upright memberto be joined. Thus, the extension 214 may permit an even greater rangeof depths 208, in which, the cabinet 106(1) may be configured. Further,discussion of open and closed position fastening may be found inrelation to FIG. 3.

In an implementation, interlocking securing mechanisms 210 may be usedin lieu of or in conjunction with ordinary fasteners. Interlocking maybe accomplished by providing corresponding protrusions and indentationswhich mate to join the respective upright members 202(1), 202(2). Forinstance, a ridge, pin, knob, tab, clip, hook, barb, bar or otherprotrusion included with securing mechanism 210 of upright member 202(1)may engage a corresponding notch, hole, slot, groove or otherindentation provided with securing mechanism 210 of upright member202(2). Naturally, protrusions and/or indentations may be arranged oneither one of upright members 202(1), 202(2). In addition, protrusionsand indentations may be combined such that both protrusions andindentations are found on each side of the attachment (e.g., protrusionsand indentations included on both upright members 202).

In an implementation, a plurality of the upright members 202 forming thecabinet 106 are identical. For example, in the implementation depictedin FIG. 2, upright member 202(1) may be joined to upright member 202(2),which in this instance is identical to upright member 202(1). In FIG. 2,upright member 202(2) is rotated 180 degrees in the drawing planerelative to upright member 202(1). Upright members 202(3) and 202(4),which may be similarly joined, are also identical to one another and areorientated 180 degrees in rotation from each other, respectively.Further, all four uprights members 202(1)-202(4) of cabinet 106(1)depicted in FIG. 2 may be identical. Thus, the cabinet 106(1) mayinclude sidewalls formed from joined pairs of identical upright members202. Using identical upright members 202 joined in pairs to form thecabinet simplifies manufacture, requires fewer parts, reduces costs andresults in reduced complexity when being assembled.

Although generally removable fastening techniques have been describedwhich are employed to permit flexibility, fixed fastening such as welds,glue and so forth may also be used. For instance, a customer may desire(and even in certain applications require) fixed fastening in one ormore dimensions, such as for added stability, to meet specifications,and so forth. Manufacture of variable dimensioned cabinets 106 usingcommon parts (e.g. identical uprights 202) with fixed fasteningmaintains the advantages of lower cost and increased manufacturingefficiency.

Thus, structural upright members 202 described may be used to formcabinets 106 of varying depth 208. Naturally, the techniques describedherein may also be applied to vary the height and/or width of a cabinet106, alone or in addition to the depth 208, (e.g., by rotating thecabinet 106(1) depicted in FIG. 2 and/or by rearranging the mountingsurfaces 206.) Thus, individual cabinets 106 may be manufactured withfixed dimensions to accommodate equipment of different sizes (e.g.different depth, width, height and so forth) using common parts. Thisreduces cost and increases manufacturing efficiency. Further, aparticular cabinet 106(1) may be manufactured with variable dimensions,thus the cabinet 106(1) may be reconfigured “in the field” to holddifferent sized equipment. This provides flexibility and permits acustomer and/or a technician to make new arrangements of components 108within telecommunications infrastructure 102 without the frustrationand/or expense of having to replace an entire cabinet.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate an exemplary implementation 300 of interlockingupright rack members of one or more of cabinets 106(1)-106(m) of FIG. 1.Reference will now be made to FIG. 3A, in which, two upright members302(1) and 302(2) are depicted in an “open position”. In thisimplementation, the upright members 302 each include securing mechanisms304. Securing mechanisms 304 may be utilized to join the two uprightmembers 302(1), 302(2) together in a variety of ways, such as thosepreviously described in relation to FIG. 2 (e.g., fasteners,interlocking and so forth). Upright members 302(1), 302(2) may be joinedin the “open position” to form a portion of a cabinet 106. It is notedthat upright members 302(1), 302(2) may be identical. Thus, a surface orwall of a cabinet 106 may be formed by joining identically configuredupright members 302 in 180 degree rotational orientation relative to oneanother, as previously described in relation to FIG. 2

In this implementation, each upright 302 also includes a slot 306 whichpermits an upright member 302 to be interlocked in a “closed position”with another upright member. In particular, a respective slot 306divides each of uprights 302(1), 302(2) into first areas 308(1), 308(2)and second areas 310(1), 310(2). Further each upright 302 has arespective mounting surface 312 arranged at right angles to (e.g.,perpendicular to) the areas 308, 310. The upright members 302(1), 302(2)may be joined, one to another, such that the areas 308, 310 engage in aninterlocking, alternating pattern.

Referring to FIG. 3B for example, upright members 302(1), 302(2) aredepicted in a partially closed position. The respective slots 306 aredepicted in FIG. 3B as having mated or engaged to create an interlockingoverlap of the upright members 302(1), 302(2). When the respective slots306 engage, for instance, area 308(2) passes “in front” of area 310(1)in the upper portion of FIG. 3B. Similarly area 308(1) passes in frontof area 310(2) in the lower portion of FIG. 3B. In addition, securingmechanisms 304 may be used to hold the uprights in a particularposition.

Referring now to FIG. 3C, upright members 302(1), 302(2) are depicted ina fully closed position. Naturally, upright members 302 may be joined ina variety of open and closed positions via securing mechanisms 304 andor slots 306. Thus, the interlocking upright members 302 depicted inFIGS. 3A-3C may form a variety of cabinets 106 having different and/orvariable dimensions.

In an implementation, each upright member 302 includes a “joggle”. A“joggle” refers to an offset of the areas 308, 310 of a particularupright member 302. For instance, the offset may correspond to thematerial thickness of the upright member 302. For example, upright302(1) may have area 310(1) set back (e.g., into the drawing sheet) amaterial thickness relative to area 308(1). This “joggle” along with theinterlocking pattern of the areas ensures that respective mountingsurfaces 312 of joined uprights 302 will be aligned properly. Identicaluprights joined without a joggle may experience an offset of themounting surfaces 312 due to the overlap of the respective surfaces.Therefore, the included “joggle” compensates for this offset. In thismanner, identical uprights 302 may be interlocked and fastened withoutproducing a material thickness offset of respective mounting surfaces312.

Each of FIGS. 3A-3C depicts upright members 302 having inset portion orgroove 318 which is configured to receive a structural insert. A groove318 may be configured in a variety of ways to receive a variety ofstructural inserts. In this manner the structural members of a cabinet106 may be varied such that the structural features of the cabinet 106may be arranged and rearranged. Further discussion of variablestructural members may be found in relation to the following discussionof FIGS. 4 and 5.

Variable Structural Members

Traditionally, the structural features of a cabinet 106 are fixed whenthe cabinet is manufactured, which prevents a technician or user frommodifying the structural features. Embedded structural components aredescribed which permit modification of the structural characteristics ofa cabinet 106 such as at the time of manufacture or by a technician oruser “in the field”.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary implementation of a variable structuralmember 400 configured to receive a structural insert which may beutilized with one or more of cabinets 106(1)-106(m) of FIG. 1. Thevariable structural member 400 is configurable in a variety of ways,such as a post, a panel, an upright, an angled corner member, a mountingmember, and so forth, which forms a portion of a cabinet 106. Forexample, the variable structural member 400 may be configured as anupright member 202 or 302 as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3A, respectively,or another component member of a cabinet 106, e.g., a panel or mountingmember. The variable structural member 400 may include one or moresurfaces to mount equipment, provide devices to route cabling, and soforth, such as surfaces 402, 404 depicted in FIG. 4.

Variable structural member 400 also includes an inset portion (e.g., agroove 406) configured to receive a structural insert 408. In thismanner, the structural insert 408 may be embedded into the variablestructural member 400. The profile of the variable structural member 400is also configured to form around a corresponding the structural insert408 via the groove 406. Generally, the groove 406 is configured tocorrespond to one or more structural inserts 408. Structural inserts 408and corresponding grooves 406 may be configured in a variety of ways.For instance, the groove 406 may be rectangular, circular, square,u-shaped, l-shaped, semi-circular, circular, and so forth. Therefore,the structural inserts 408 are configured accordingly to correspond tothe shape of one or more grooves 406. In the instance depicted in FIG.4, the groove 406 is configured in a “U-shape” to receive acorresponding insert 408 configured as a “U-shaped” angled insert. Avariety of other arrangements are contemplated further discussion ofwhich may be found in relation to FIG. 5.

Structural inserts 408 may be utilized to arrange and rearrange thestructural characteristics of a cabinet 106. For instance, structuralinserts 408 may be configured as a variety of types, such as tubular,u-shaped, unistrut and so on. In addition, a variety of materials may beused for structural inserts 408 such as various metal, plastic, rubberand so forth. Thus, the type and material of an insert 408 may beselected and/or later modified to achieve desired structural propertiesfor the cabinet 106. For instance, the rigidity, stability, dampening,strength, elasticity and so on may be modified by various combinationsof types and materials.

It is noted that while a single groove 406 is depicted in FIG. 4, aplurality of grooves 406 may be included on a single variable structuralmember 400. In addition, the groove 406 may extend vertically orhorizontally across the entire variable structural member 400 asdepicted in FIG. 4, may extend partially across, and so on.Additionally, a single cabinet or a single structural member may beconfigured with a plurality of grooves 406 to receive the same ordifferent types of structural inserts. For instance, a first groove 406on structural member may be configured to receive a u-shaped insert 408and a second groove 406 may be configured to receive a tubular insert408. Further, a single structural insert 408 may be configured forinsertion into many different grooves. In other words the structuralinsert 408 may be interchanged between grooves, between cabinets and soon. Thus, a plurality of grooves 406 may be arranged on a variablestructural member 400 in a variety of ways to permit modification ofstructural characteristics of a corresponding cabinet 102, e.g., grooves406 arranged in an array or pattern across a surface 402 of structuralmember 400.

In an implementation, the structural insert 408 is embedded entirelyinto the structural member 400. In other words, the structural insert408 does not extend past “flush” with surface 402. In this manner, thestructural insert 408 does not interfere with functions performed viasurface 402, such as mounting of equipment, routing of cabling,arranging of a cabinet 106 along side another cabinet(s) in a row at asite 104, and so on.

Thus, embedded structural inserts 408 may be incorporated, removed andinterchanged within cabinets 106 without having to change the entirecabinet assembly. Further, embedded structural inserts 408 may beapplied to the interlocking and/or variable uprights, previouslydescribed. As previously described, upright members 302 in FIGS. 3A-3C,for instance, may include respective grooves 318 to receive a structuralinsert 408. Naturally, structural inserts 408 may be employed with otherstructural members, components and so forth of the variety of cabinet106(1)-106(m) in telecommunications environment 102 of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5A-5C depict cross-sectional views of various embodiments400(1)-400(3) of a variable structural member depicted in FIG. 4 alongwith exemplary corresponding structural inserts 408(1)-408(9).

FIG. 5A depicts an embodiment of variable structural member 400(1) witha groove 406(1) configured as a rectangular “U-shape”. Exemplarystructural inserts 408 are depicted configured as a “U-shaped” angle408(1), an oval tube 408(2), a unistrut 408(3) and an I-beam 408(4).

FIG. 5B depicts an embodiment of variable structural member 400(2) witha groove 406(2) configured as a square “U-shape”. In this instance, thestructural inserts are configured as tubes, e.g., square tube 408(5) anda circular tube 408(6). Naturally, a variety of other shapes for tubesmay be used, such as rectangular, polygonal and so on.

FIG. 5C depicts an embodiment of variable structural member 400(3) witha groove 406(3) configured as a semi-circle. In this instance, thestructural inserts depicted are configured as an arc 408(7), asemi-circle tube 408(8) and a circular tube 408(9). Of course, a singlestructural insert 408 may be used along with differently configuredgrooves 406. For example, the circular tube 408(9) may be used with boththe semi-circle groove 406(3) of FIG. 5C and the square u-shape groove406(2) of FIG. 5B. In addition, a variety of other embodiments notdepicted are contemplated, e.g., a rectangular tube used in the grooveembodiments 406(1), 406(2) of respective FIGS. 5A and 5B. Further,grooves 406 may be configured in a variety of other ways for example,“V-shaped”, polygonal, enclosed tubes, and so on.

In an implementation that the structural inserts 408 provide a pluralityof mounting positions for telecommunications equipment, cable routingdevices and so forth. For instance, an embedded unistrut 408(3) permitsmounting at any position on the length of the unistrut, e.g., viacorresponding unistrut fastener such as washers, brackets and so on.Alternatively, fasteners, mounting holes, brackets and so on may bedisposed in a variety of patterns on a structural insert 408 foradditional equipment mounting. Additional mounting provided bystructural inserts 408 may be particular useful in an implementation inwhich structural inserts 408 are entirely embedded, e.g., do not extendpast flush with surface 402. In this manner equipment may be mountedalong the embedding surface 402 without interference from a protrudingstructural insert 408.

Variable Mounting Member

Traditionally, the mounting features of a cabinet 106 are integrated aspart of the supporting structure for the cabinet 106. For instance,mounting hole patterns for mounting of telecommunication components 108in a cabinet 106 have traditionally been formed as part of the structureof the cabinet, e.g. integrated on an exterior surface of the structure.Thus, the mounting patterns, materials, and so on for the mountingfeatures are practically permanent. Thus, traditional arrangementsprovide little or no flexibility to reconfigure a cabinet for mountingnew, additional or different components 108 or for modifying thearrangement of components. The following describes variable mountingmembers which are provided as separate items from the structural supportof a cabinet 106, thereby permitting interchange and updating ofmounting members of a cabinet to accommodate new or different equipmentand/or new arrangements of equipment.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary implementation 600 of a structural supportwith variable mounting members which may be utilized with one or more ofcabinets 106(1)-106(m) depicted in FIG. 1. A portion of the supportingstructure 602 for a cabinet 106 is depicted. The supporting structure602 is configurable in a variety of ways to form a portion of a cabinet106. For instance, the supporting structure 602 may be a wall, a panel,a post, an upright member and so on.

FIG. 6 further illustrates a plurality of mounting members 604(1),604(2), 604(3). Naturally, the depicted mounting members 604(1), 604(2),604(3) are representative of a variety of differently configuredmounting members 604 which may be used alone or in conjunction with onanother. In an implementation, the variety of mounting members 604 areremovably fastenable to the supporting structure 602 to provide varietyof mounting options within a cabinet, e.g., cabinet 106(1)-106(m) ofFIG. 1. For instance, a wide selection of telecommunications components108 may be mounted within a single cabinet 106 utilizing mountingmembers 604 configured in a variety of ways. Different mounting members604 may be arranged within the same cabinet or within different cabinetsto mount equipment having different sizes, types, and so on. Further,the mounting members 604 are removably fastened to the supportingstructure 602 of a cabinet and thus may be updated or interchanged tovary the mounting arrangements of the structure 602 and correspondingcabinet.

As depicted in FIG. 6, the support structure 602 may have a plurality ofsecuring mechanisms 606 disposed on one or more surfaces 608 toremovably fasten mounting members 604 to the support structure 602. Thesecuring mechanisms 606 may be arranged in a variety of ways on thesurface 608 of the supporting structure 602, such as different sizes,patterns, shapes, types, spacing and so forth. In this manner, variablemounting members 604 may be secured to a supporting structure in avariety of arrangements. Accordingly, a corresponding cabinet may beconfigured and reconfigured to accommodate different equipment anddifferent mounting arrangements at different times.

In an instance, the securing mechanisms 606 are configured as aplurality of apertures (e.g., slots, holes, threaded holes) which mayreceive a variety of ordinary fasteners 610, such as bolts, screws,pins, clips and so forth. Various aperture patterns on surface 608 maybe employed to permit a variety of interchangeable and removablearrangements of mounting members 604. Mounting member 604(1) is depictedwith a plurality fastening mechanisms 612 which may be used incombination with securing mechanisms 606 of the support structure 602 tofasten the mounting member to the support structure 602. For example, abolt (e.g. fastener 610) may be used with a slot (e.g. securingmechanism 606) in the support structure 602 and a corresponding bolthole in the mounting member 604(1) to fasten the mounting member to theinterior of the support structure 602. It is noted that while interiorfastening of mounting members 604 is depicted, a mounting member 604 mayalso be fastened to the exterior surface of the support structure 602.

Alternatively, a mounting member 604 may be fastened using interlockingfastening, “snapping-in” and so forth, e.g., by corresponding matingfeatures provided on the structure 602 and mounting member 604. Forinstance, fastening mechanisms 612 of a mounting member 604 may beconfigured to interlock with corresponding securing mechanisms 606 ofthe support structure. Various combinations of interlocking tabs,indentations, protrusions, slots, grooves, ridges and so forth may beused to create interlocking arrangements between mounting members andsecuring mechanisms. Interlocking arrangements may be used in lieu of orin conjunction with ordinary fasteners 610. Although ordinary fastenersand interlocking arrangements have been described, any removablefastening may be employed without departing from the spirit or scopethereof.

Different mounting members 604 may be configured with a variety ofdifferent characteristics, such as with different widths, lengths,thickness, materials and so on. Varying the characteristics of mountingmembers 604 associated with a cabinet 106 provides a great deal offlexibility, in that, a single design structure may be used for a wideselection of telecommunication equipment, e.g., components 108, networkelements 110 and so on. Further, removably-fastened mounting members 604may be interchanged between cabinets 106(1)-106(m) and updated within aparticular cabinet 106, which allows for reconfiguration of the cabinet106 with new, additional, or different equipment. Thus, mounting members604 may be provided within the same or different cabinets 106 withdifferent lengths, thickness, and widths. The dimensions selected for aparticular mounting member 604, for instance, may correspond toparticular equipment selected to be mounted within a cabinet 106.

In an implementation, support structure 602 has a single removablemounting member 604. The single mounting member 604 extends the lengthof the support structure, e.g., mounting member 604(1). Alternatively, aplurality of shorter length mounting members 604(2), 604(3) may be used.The plurality of mounting members may be arranged to be adjoining and/orspaced apart in a variety of patterns on a surface 608. A variety ofother arrangements of one or more mounting members 604 with variouslengths are also contemplated.

In an implementation, the supporting structure 602 is configured with aplurality of mounting members 604 of varying dimensions to permitvarious sizes of components 108 to be mounted within the same cabinet106. For instance, mounting member 604(2) is depicted in FIG. 6 ashaving a smaller thickness, width and length relative to mounting member604(3). As an example, a narrower mounting member 604(2) may permit awider component 108 to be mounted relative to the wider mounting member604(3). Again, since the mounting members 604 are interchangeable andremovable, the cabinet 106 may be initially configured with mountingmembers 604 of a certain size corresponding to components 108 of aparticular size, and may later be reconfigured with different sizedmounting members 604 corresponding to different sized components 108.

Further, mounting members 604 may be formed from a variety of materials,such as aluminum, steel, plastic, rubber and so forth. Differentmounting members 604 associated with the same cabinet 106 may also becomposed of different materials. For example, the upper portion of acabinet 106 may use aluminum mounting members 604 while the lowerportion uses a different material for mounting members 604, e.g.,plastic or rubber. Thus, each of mounting members 604(1), 604(2), 604(3)may be optionally formed of the same or different materials.

In an implementation, mounting members 604 are configured with a varietyof equipment mountings 614 arranged to allow a variety of differentsizes and/or types of telecommunications components to be mounted withina corresponding cabinet 106 via the mounting member 604. For instance,equipment mountings 614 may be arranged with a variety of differenttypes, different spacing, and/or different sizes disposed both ondifferent mounting members 604 and/or on a single mounting member. Eachof the mounting members 604(1), 604(2), 604(3) depicted in FIG. 6 has aplurality of equipment mounting 614 for various equipment within acabinet 106. Thus, variable mounting members have been described whichare removable, interchangeable and updateable within a cabinet 106 toaccommodate mounting a variety of telecommunications equipment withinthe same cabinet 106.

Configurable Universal Telecommunications Frame (UTF)

FIGS. 7A-7B depict an exemplary adjustable depth equipment cabinet whichincorporates one or more of the features previously described inrelation to FIGS. 2-6. The cabinet 700 of FIGS. 7A-7B is depicted as anopen rack. Naturally, doors, panels and so forth may be added to producean enclosed cabinet 700 for use in certain applications withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof.

In an implementation, cabinet 700 is configured to have an adjustabledepth. Cabinet 700 includes a plurality of upright members 702, whichmay be configured as the upright members 202 and 302 previouslydescribed in relation to FIGS. 2-3. The upright members 702 are arrangedto slide between a maximum and minimum depth. A variety of fasteningmechanisms 704 may be used to join or lock in to place the plurality ofupright members 702 in a variety of positions corresponding to a varietyof depths. Fastening mechanisms 704 may be ordinary fasteners such asscrews, bolts, pins and so forth. In certain applications, a cabinet 700may also be fixedly fastened at a particular depth such as through weld,glue, and so on. Thus, cabinets formed from the same component parts maybe permanently fastened or temporarily fastened with removable hardwaredepending on the particular application.

Further, the plurality of upright members 702 may be configured tointerlock as described in relation to FIG. 3. FIG. 7A, for instance,depicts cabinet 700 as having a minimum depth 706 in which the pluralityof upright members 702 are fully interlocked. FIG. 7B depicts the samecabinet 700 at the maximum depth 708 with the upright members 702 “just”interlocking. In an implementation, the cabinet 700 is configured to belocked into position at a plurality of incremental depths between theminimum depth 706 and maximum depth 708.

In an implementation, each of the uprights 702 forming cabinet 700 areidentical. For example, “left-handed” and “right-handed” versions ofuprights 702 are not provided as is typically the case for traditionalequipment racks. Rather, as is best seen in FIG. 7B, four identicaluprights 702 are used to form cabinet 700. Thus, the manufacturing andassembly of cabinet 700 is simplified and less costly when compared totraditional cabinets.

In an implementation, cabinet 700 is configured as an electronicequipment universal telecom framework (UTF) designed for bracing againstearthquake damage. American National Standard Institute (ANSI) standardT1.336, establishes dimensional parameters, performance requirements,and application criteria for the manufacture and availability of framesused to house electronic equipment in telecom facilities. In particular,ANSI T1.336 is intended to establish a set of common dimensionalfootprints for universal telecommunications (UTF) frameworks, providestronger frames for handling larger, heavier equipment, and to establishdesign parameters for developing future telecommunications equipment.ANSI standard T1.336 for instance specifies load characteristics,standard sizes for footprints, universal positioning of hardware tointerconnect a plurality of cabinets, and so forth.

More particularly, ANSI standard T1.336 defines individual standards forequipment racks of different depth, and different dimensionalfootprints. T1.336 for instance provides standard depths of 600millimeters, 750 millimeters and 900 millimeters. The unique variabledepth design described herein produces a single cabinet 700 which isfully compliant with ANSI Standard T1.336 at more than one depth andaccordingly at a plurality of dimensional footprints specified by thestandards. In other words, a single cabinet 700 meets standards intendedfor two different cabinets.

For example, the rack may have a maximum depth 708 of 750 millimetersand a minimum depth 706 of 600 millimeters. This range corresponds totwo standard depths for cabinets specified by ANSI T1.336. In addition,the rack may be adjusted to a variety of different depths between themaximum and minimum, e.g., anywhere between 600 millimeters and 750millimeters. Naturally other minimum and maximum depths may be used inother implementations to produce a variety of adjustable dimensionedequipment racks, such as racks configured to adjust between 750 and 900millimeters, between 600 and 900 millimeters, between 500 and 1000millimeters and so forth.

In an implementation, cabinet 700 incorporates the embedded structuralmembers previously described in relation to FIGS. 4-5. For example, oneor more of the upright members 702 may include a groove to receive astructural insert. Thus, additional dampening materials, strengthening,structural components, and so on may be arranged and rearranged on thecabinet 700 without requiring any design changes to the originalcabinet. In an implementation, the structure of cabinet 700 may beconfigured to withstand a 2000 lb seismic load requirement in compliancewith ANSI standards.

In an implementation, cabinet 700 incorporates removable mountingmembers previously described in relation to FIG. 6. For instance, avariety of mounting members may be removably fastened to the structureof cabinet 700. In this manner cabinet 700 may be configured to mount avariety of telecommunication components 108 which may have a variety ofdifferent dimensions. Further, the mounting members may be subsequentlyreconfigured to allow a different arrangement of equipment within thesame cabinet 700.

FIG. 8 illustrates an implementation 800 in which identical cabinetsub-assemblies are utilized to form a cabinet such as cabinet 700 ofFIGS. 7A-7B. A pair of identical sub assemblies 802(1) and 802(2) isdepicted in FIG. 8. The sub-assemblies 802(1), 802(2) have identicalfront and rear halves of a cabinet 700. As depicted, each of subassemblies 802(1), 802(2) may further include a pair of the identicalupright members 702. The pair of sub-assemblies are joinable to form acomplete cabinet, such as cabinet 700 depicted in FIGS. 7A-7B. In orderto be joined, the identical sub-assemblies 802(1), 802(2) are orientedsuch that sub-assembly 802(2) is rotated 180 degrees relative tosub-assembly 802(1). Then cabinet 700 may be assembled in a variety ofdepths by using fasteners and interlocking uprights as previouslydescribed.

Exemplary Procedures

The following discussion describes techniques that may be implementedutilizing the previously described systems and devices. The proceduresare shown as a set of blocks that specify operations performed and arenot necessarily limited to the orders shown for performing theoperations by the respective blocks.

FIG. 9 i depicts a procedure 900 in an exemplary implementation in whicha side wall of a telecommunication cabinet is formed by joining uprightmembers. A pair of identical upright members is formed (block 902). Forexample, uprights members 302(1) and 302(2) depicted in FIGS. 3A-3C maybe formed. The upright members may be formed from a variety ofmaterials, such as various metals, plastics, or rubber. Further, uprightmembers 302(1) and 302(2) are identical and thus may be manufactured ascommon parts.

The identical uprights are joined in 180 degree rotational relation toform a variable width side wall of a telecommunications equipmentcabinet (block 904). Again referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, upright members302(1) and 302(2) may be joined in a plurality of positions. As depictedin FIGS. 3A-3C, the upright members 302(1), 302(2) are oriented in 180degree rotational orientation. The upright members 302(1), 302(2) may bejoined in an open position (e.g., FIG. 3A), a partially closed position(e.g., FIG. 3B) or fully closed position (e.g., FIG. 3C) to form a sidewall of the telecommunications cabinet 106. Each position results in adifferent corresponding side wall width. Further, upright members302(1), 302(2) may be joined in a variety of incremental positionsbetween those depicted in FIGS. 3A-3C. A variety of removable fastenersand interlock as previously described may be used, alone or inconjunction, to join the upright members 302(1), 302(2). Accordingly,the upright members 302(1), 302(2) may joined in a plurality ofpositions such that the width of a corresponding sidewall is variable.

FIG. 10 depicts a procedure 1000 in an exemplary implementation in whicha structural insert is removably embedded in a telecommunication cabinetto vary characteristics of the cabinet. A groove configured to receive astructural insert is is formed in a portion of a telecommunicationcabinet (block 1002). For instance, the variable structural member 402of FIG. 4 may be included in one of the plurality of cabinets106(1)-106(m) of FIG. 1. A U-shaped groove 406 may be formed extendingacross the length of the variable structural member 402 as depicted inFIG. 4.

A structural insert is removably embedded within the groove to modify astructural characteristic of the corresponding telecommunicationscabinet (block 1004). For example, structural insert 408 depicted inFIG. 4 may be removably inserted into the corresponding U-shaped groove406. The structural insert 408 may be secured in the groove 406 byordinary fasteners, sliding into the groove, “snapping in” or otherremovable fastening mechanisms. A variety of insert types may also beused, such as exemplary structural inserts configured as a u-shape408(1) a unistrut 408(3) and so forth as depicted in FIG. 5.

Each structural insert 408, when inserted within the groove, isconfigured to modify structural characteristics of the associatedtelecommunications cabinet. For instance, the structural insert 408 andthe variable structural member 402 may be formed from differentmaterials respectively. A relatively high-strength material may beselected for the structural insert 408 such that when inserted into thegroove of a variable structural member 402, the strength of thecorresponding telecommunications cabinet 106 is increased. A variety ofother characteristics may also be varied (such as flexibility,dampening, and so on) by embedding different inserts 408 with differentcombinations of types, shapes, materials, dimensions and so forth aspreviously described.

FIG. 11 depicts a procedure 1100 in which telecommunications componentsare secured within a telecommunications cabinet via a mounting memberremovably fastened to a support structure of the cabinet. A mountingmember is removably fastened to the support structure of atelecommunications cabinet (block 1102). For example, the supportstructure 602 of FIG. 6 may form a portion of a telecommunicationscabinet 106 depicted in FIG. 1. A mounting member such as mountingmember 604(1) may be fastened to the support structure 602. Forinstance, corresponding apertures 606 and 612 on the support structure602 and mounting member 604 respectively are configured to receive aplurality of fasteners 610 (e.g., bolts, screws, pins and so forth) tofasten the mounting member 604(1) to the interior of support structure602. In another instance, a mounting member may be fastened to theexterior, e.g., to surface 608 depicted in FIG. 6.

One or more telecommunication components are secured to the cabinet viathe removable mounting member (block 1104). The mounting member 604(1)of the previous example is configured with a variety of equipmentmountings 614 arranged to allow a variety of different sizes and/ortypes of telecommunications components to be mounted within acorresponding cabinet 106 via the mounting member 604. For instance,equipment mountings 614 may be arranged with a variety of differenttypes, different spacing, and/or different sizes disposed on mountingmember 604(1). Thus, equipment mountings 614 may be utilized to mountone or more components 108 in the cabinet 106.

FIG. 12 depicts a procedure 1200 in an exemplary implementation in whichan adjustable depth telecommunications cabinet is formed via a pair ofidentical sub-assemblies. A pair of identical sub-assemblies is formed(block 1202). For example, sub-assemblies 802(1) and 802(2) depicted inFIG. 8 may be formed. The sub-assemblies together include four identicalupright members 702. Each sub-assembly includes two identical uprightmembers 702.

The identical sub-assemblies are joined to form a variable depthtelecommunications equipment cabinet (block 1204). For instance, thesub-assemblies 802(1), 802(2) of the previous example may be joined toform a telecommunications cabinet 700 depicted in FIGS. 7A-7B.Telecommunications cabinet 700 is configured to mount plurality oftelecommunications components 108 in a telecommunications infrastructure102. The sub-assemblies 802(1), 802(2) may be joined with a minimumwidth 706 of FIG. 7A, a maximum width 708 depicted in FIG. 7A, and in avariety of incremental positions between those depicted in FIGS. 7A-7B.Thus, the sub-assemblies 802(1), 802(2) may be joined in a plurality ofpositions to produce a cabinet 700 having a variety of depths. Thevarious fasteners and interlocking uprights previously described may beused to join the sub-assemblies 802(1), 802(2).

Conclusion

Although the invention has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarilylimited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specificfeatures and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing theclaimed invention.

1. An apparatus comprising: a cabinet having a plurality of structuralmembers configured to receive structural inserts; and at least onestructural insert removably embedded within one said structural member,wherein the cabinet is configured to provide mounting positions for aplurality of telecommunication equipment.
 2. An apparatus as describedin claim 1 wherein the cabinet is configured as an open frame rack. 3.An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the at least one structuralinsert is configured to modify one or more characteristic of the cabinetselected from the group consisting of: stability; rigidity; strength;dampening; and elasticity.
 4. An apparatus as described in claim 1wherein the at least one structural insert is embedded within anembedding surface of the one said structural member.
 5. An apparatus asdescribed in claim 4 wherein a portion of the mounting positions areprovided by an array of mountings disposed on a mounting surfacearranged perpendicular to the embedding surface.
 6. An apparatus asdescribed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of structural members areeach configured as a corner support for the cabinet.
 7. An apparatus asdescribed in claim 1 wherein one said structural member includes aplurality of embedded structural inserts.
 8. An apparatus as describedin claim 7 wherein at least two of the plurality of embedded structuralinserts are configured with one or more different characteristics.
 9. Anapparatus as described in claim 8 wherein the one or more differentcharacteristics are selected from the group consisting of; length; crosssection; shape; and material.
 10. A telecommunication equipment cabinetcomprising: a structural member having an embedding surface; and one ormore grooves extending across the embedding surface, wherein: each saidgroove is configured to removably receive a structural insert to modifythe structural characteristics of the telecommunications cabinet, andthe structural insert, when received, is substantially embedded withinthe groove such that it does not extend outward past the embeddingsurface.
 11. The telecommunications cabinet described in claim 10,wherein at least one groove extends across the length of embeddingsurface.
 12. The telecommunications cabinet described in claim 10,wherein at least one groove extends across the width of the embeddingsurface.
 13. The telecommunications cabinet described in claim 10,wherein the embedding surface includes a plurality of mountings to mounta plurality of telecommunications components.
 14. The telecommunicationscabinet described in claim 10, wherein the structural insert includes aplurality of mountings configured to mount a plurality oftelecommunications components flush against the embedding surface. 15.The telecommunications cabinet described in claim 10, wherein theembedding surface includes at least two grooves configured to receivematching structural inserts.
 16. The telecommunications cabinetdescribed in claim 10, wherein the embedding surface includes at leasttwo grooves configured to receive different types of structural inserts,respectively.
 17. The telecommunications cabinet described in claim 10,wherein each groove is configured with a cross-sectional shape whichcorresponds to one or more types of a structural insert.
 18. Thetelecommunications cabinet described in claim 17, wherein the type ofeach structural insert is selected from the group consisting ofU-shaped; tubular; oval; square; circular; semi-circular I-beam;unistrut; and arched;
 19. A method comprising: forming a grooveconfigured to receive a structural insert in a portion of atelecommunication equipment cabinet; and removably embedding astructural insert in the groove to modify a structural characteristic ofthe cabinet.
 20. The method described in claim 19 wherein the structuralinsert is embedded entirely within the groove.